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Arrested Romanian ex-minister wants to wallpaper her cell

In a photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, Elena Udrea a 41-year-old Romanian politician who gained notoriety due to her close relationship with Traian Basescu, Romania's president from 2004 to 2014 is escorted by policemen as she exits, handcuffed, the anti-corruption prosecutor's office in Bucharest, Romania. Udrea, a former Romanian tourism minister and presidential candidate was detained for 24 hours late Tuesday after she entered the anti-corruption prosecutor's office to answer charges of money laundering and influence peddling.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) In a photo taken on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, Elena Udrea a 41-year-old Romanian politician who gained notoriety due to her close relationship with Traian Basescu, Romania's president from 2004 to 2014 is escorted by policemen as she exits, handcuffed, the anti-corruption prosecutor's office in Bucharest, Romania. Udrea, a former Romanian tourism minister and presidential candidate was detained for 24 hours late Tuesday after she entered the anti-corruption prosecutor's office to answer charges of money laundering and influence peddling.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

By Associated Press February 17, 2015 1 min read

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) – A former Romanian tourism minister in detention on corruption charges has asked to be allowed to wallpaper and paint her cell walls.

Marius Stribulea, lawyer to Elena Udrea, said his client, one of the most influential politicians of the past decade, wanted to renovate her current accommodation.

“As you know the conditions are not the best,” he said Tuesday. Mediafax reported she wanted to wallpaper her cell walls, as well as paint the bars and radiator.

Udrea was arrested last week for 30 days on charges of influence peddling and taking bribes. She denies wrongdoing.

The flamboyant politician was criticized for her close ties with Traian Basescu, Romania’s president from 2004 to 2014. She ran for president in November elections, finishing fourth.

Stribulea said Bucharest police will examine the request.